There are 5 characteristics that form the basis of an integrative framework in brief therapy:Time limitationDesired outcomesCounselor directivenessSymptoms as solutionsAssigning behavioral task

Adlerian brief therapy focus on empowerment and generating new behaviors from existing issues. They want members to leave in a better state then when they came. Brief therapy Understanding lifestyle and how it affects the current function in all of life’s taskIndividual’s social and cultural values are emphasizedTechniques are used to produce clues to each person’s goals, purpose, and lifestyleEarly recollections (stories of events that a person says occurs before age 10)Family constellations, birth orders, dreams & artworkThis stage interprets self, life, the world and any mistaken beliefs connected to the interpretationThe goal is to integrate and summarize data of how mistaken notions/myths that influence client(s). Step 2: Analysis and Assessment (Exploring the Individual’s Dynamics) Focuses on a good therapeutic relationship of cooperation, collaboration, and mutual respectThe counselor offers a foundation of cohesiveness and connection to build trustMembers are encouraged to be active in the process because they are responsible for their participation within the group

This stage of group counseling is to win the client’s cooperation Step 1: Establishing and Maintaining Cohesive Relationships with Members Encourages equal, person-to-person counselor/client relationshipServe as example for the members (model)

Some of the characteristics include presence, self-confidence, demonstrating the courage to be imperfect, willingness to take risk, acceptance, caring, being a model for others, cohesiveness spirit, sense of humor, listening for purposes and motives...etc.

Most importantly, the counselor must be clear of their own identity, beliefs and feelings. Adlerian Counselors: The Role and Functions of the Group Leader School Counselors find this approach to be effective within the confines of the school atmosphere because it deals with specific goals and present situations, rather than probing into the past.Some of the therapeutic group formats used are:Intervention based on the family constellation At-risk high students (academics, future and vulnerability issues, social issues, and behavioral issues)Self-improvement programs for self-esteem Applying the Adlerian Approach to Group Work in Schools Group provides:A senses of belonging, social connectedness and community:It provides a safe atmosphere Allows members to “have a voice in life”Members learn to accept differences in othersUnderstand and identify general thoughts and feelings Rational for a Group Approach Adlerians believe that insight is awareness which facilitates an understanding within the counseling relationship and is the foundation of changeIt is important that insight leads to constructive movement towards desired goalsGroup interaction gives an ideal setting for learning about oneselfAwareness is increased by feedback and support of others, which carries more weight than what the counselor saysIndividuals in the group are more accepting of the members comments because they share certain equality among themThe goal is for members to come to a deeper psychological understanding of themselves. Step 3:Awareness and Insight Step 1 Establish and maintain cohesiveness within the group members Step 2 Analysis and Assessment (Exploring the Individual’s Dynamics)Step 3 Awareness and InsightStep 4 Reorientation and Reeducation

Adler and Dreikurs developed and used group methods as a way to reach a larger amount of people in a short amount of time. The Four Steps of the Adlerian group Community Feeling and Social Interest - Connected to Humanity and belongingnessInferiority/Superiority – Not a Negative ForceRole of the family – Develops Self-awarenessStyle of Life – Personal Orientation towards Social Living Key Concepts Continued… Is based on the holistic view of the personThe focus is to understand the whole person within the social context of their lives: family, school and workLooking at expressions of uniqueness of individual’s thoughts, feelings, beliefs, behavioral pattern s, traits, and characteristicsAttempts to find themselves within their social environment Individual PsychologyHolism Teleology – Live by goals and purposePhenomenology – Individual’s view (a snapshot of their lives)Creativity and Choice – Having the ability to influence and create events Socioteleological approach - Social Determinants of BehaviorHolism – Individual Psychology Adlerian Key Concepts are: These theorist collaborated for eight to ten years before they separated due to their conflicting views.

Adler:Believed people are motivated by social relatedness, choice, purpose, and the meaning of lifeRejected Freud’s views of people being motivation by sexual urges

Adler also opposed Freud’s narrow views on biological and instinctual determination Adler and Freud Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and Alfred Adler worked together on the psychoanalytic view. Freud was considered controlling and resented those that disagreed with his doctrines. From Psychodynamic to Individual Psychology Carmella W. ElliottEDUC 552 - Group Counseling Adlerian Group Counseling Both counselor and group members work on correcting mistaken/false beliefs about self, life and othersmembers are to elaborate on what they learned from their group participationPeer encouragement is important in this stage, it serves as an accomplishment and realization of their acceptance within the group

The goal of this stage is for clients to put insight into action, making new choices that are more consistent with their desired outcome (taking action on what they have learned). Step 4:Reorientation and Reeducation 1897 - 1972 Dreikurs was a recognized contributor of Adlerian psychology

Extended and popularized Adler’s work and transplanted his ideas in USHe refined Alder’s concepts into a clear-cut, teachable system for family life, education mental health and group psychotherapyHe was believed to develop group therapy in a private practiceDeveloped Adlerian family education centers in the US Rudolf Dreikurs 1870 – 1937 Adler believed: that childhood impacts individuals but they do not need to be analyzedhe did not believe that instincts and the past determined or set future behaviorhaving a sense of community improves your health and well-being (awareness)behaviors are purposefulbeing empathetic is an important characteristic for a counselor to haveEstablished 30+ child guidance center Reflections of the Adlerian Way… Other possible group techniques